Digital camera

ABSTRACT

On the external packing film  124  of the memory card insertion section vicinity of the bottom surface of the digital camera  100,  the ROM chip and the print wiring  131  are surface-mounted, and one end of the print wiring  131  is connected to the ROM chip  130,  and the other end is connected to the external connecting terminal  132  provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera  100.  The identifying information in the ROM chip  130  is read out at the time of the operation of the digital camera  100,  and is collated with the identifying information inside the camera, and when it can not be collated or it is not coincident, the power source of the camera is compulsively turned off.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera, andparticularly to a digital camera which is appropriate for an easy use.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] At a visit location, when it hurriedly becomes necessary to takea picked up image, there are many cases where a lens-fitted film unit isused. Because a lens-fitted film unit can be easily obtained in a retailshop or an automatic vending machine, even when a camera is not alwayscarried with the person, the desired image can be photographed asnecessary, and the recording can be remained.

[0005] On the one hand, a digital camera in which the digital imageinformation obtained by an image pick-up element is recorded in abuilt-in memory or removable recording medium (hereinafter, sometimessimply denoted as “medium”), is widespreadingly used. In such a digitalcamera, in the same manner as the conventional camera, it has a featurethat, not only a photographic print according to the obtained imageinformation can be obtained, but further the digital image informationis taken into a personal computer and various processing can beconducted on it. Therefore, also for the digital camera, in the samemanner as the lens-fitted film camera, it is expected that it can beeasily obtained in a retail shop or automatic vending machine, and asystem by which a print of the photographed image and digital imageinformation can be obtained in a low cost, is spread.

[0006] However, in the digital camera, because many electronic parts arenecessary, it is difficult to produce in a low cost, specifically itrequires more cost in order to guaranty the performance of the longperiod, a system is considered in which, after a predetermined exposuresare photographed, the photographed digital camera is withdrawn andrecycled. When it is not withdrawn after the predetermined exposurephotographing, the digital camera is used for a long period of time, andbecause the quality of the photographed image can not be guaranteed, itis important in this system that the withdrawal efficiency is increased.Further, when the withdrawal efficiency is increased, by using thewithdrawn digital camera for the re-production, the production cost canbe reduced.

[0007] As the digital camera for increasing the withdrawal efficiency,for example, a camera is proposed which is disclosed in Japan PatentLaid Open 2000-228740. This digital camera employs a system by which thedigital image information is stored in an internal memory, and theaccess to the internal memory is limited by a password. The password isstored in the camera at the time of production of the digital camera,and is controlled by the manufacturer. Accordingly, because the user ofthis camera can not freely use the digital image information, the userend up bringing the camera to a lab, and the withdrawal efficiency isincreased as a result.

[0008] However, when the access to the digital image information islimited by the password, the control of the password by the manufacturerand the password acquisition at the image information utilization pointsuch as a lab, are necessary, and the control burden to maintain thewithdrawal system is large. Further, because it can not be used for thedigital camera in which the medium is used, the processing based on thedigital image information and the re-production of the digital cameracan not be conducted in parallel, and the efficiency of the reproductionis not increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first aspect of the invention is directed to a digital cameraincluding a removable recording medium for recording a picked up imageinformation, a ROM connected to an external connecting terminal of thedigital camera and storing first identifying information an identifyinginformation memory section which is provided inside of the digitalcamera and storing second identifying information, a collating sectionfor collating the first identifying information with the secondidentifying information, and an operation limiting section compulsorilystopping operation of the digital camera in a case a collating result bythe collating section is not coincident with each other. This digitalcamera is characterized by that the ROM is arranged in a condition thatthe connection to the external connecting terminal is broken in a casethe removable recording medium is taken out. When such a structure isapplied, because the connection of the ROM with the digital camera mainbody is broken when the recording medium in which the photographed imageinformation is recorded, is taken out, even when the recording medium ismounted again, the digital camera can not be operated.

[0010] A second aspect of the invention is directed to the digitalcamera further including an external packing film which covers at leasta mounting portion of the removable recording medium, a bare chip of theROM and wiring to the external connecting terminal are surface-mountedon the camera side surface of the external pacing film so that themounting portion of the removable recording medium is covered. Thedigital camera is characterized by that the external packing film has anadhered portion adhered to the digital camera surface in the vicinity ofthe mounting position of the bare chip and the wiring. In the case wheresuch a structure is applied, when the external packing film is taken offin order to take out the recording medium, the connection of the ROMwith the digital camera main body is broken, and the digital camera cannot be operated again.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a digitalcamera including an internal memory for recording picked up imageinformation, an input and output interface section which can transmitthe recorded picked up image information to the outside a ROM storingfirst identifying information, and connected to an external connectingterminal of the digital camera, an identifying information memorysection provided in the digital camera and storing second identifyinginformation, a collating section to collate the first identifyinginformation with the second identifying information, and an operationlimiting section by which an operation of the digital camera iscompulsively stopped in a case a collation result by the collatingsection does not coincide with each other. The digital camera ischaracterized by that the ROM is arranged in a condition that theconnection to the external connecting terminal is broken in a case therecorded picked up image information is transmitted. In the case wheresuch a structure is applied, when the photographed image information istaken from the internal memory, the connection of the ROM to the digitalcamera main body is broken, and the digital camera cannot be operatedagain.

[0012] A forth aspect of the present invention is directed to thedigital camera according to the third aspect of the invention, furtherincluding an external packing film which covers at least the input andoutput interface section, and a bare chip of the ROM and a wiring to theexternal connecting terminal are surface-mounted on the positioncovering the input and output interface section on the camera sidesurface of the external packing film. The digital camera ischaracterized by that the external packing film has a camera adheringsection to be adhered to the digital camera surface in the vicinity ofthe mounting position of the bare chip and wiring.

[0013] In the case where such a structure is applied, when thephotographed image information is taken from the internal memory, theconnection of the ROM to the digital camera main body is broken, and thedigital camera can not be operated again.

[0014] The external packing film in the digital camera of the presentinvention is structured in such a manner that at least one portion ismore easily broken than the other portion in the vicinity of the adheredportion and in the vicinity of the mounting position of the wiring. Whensuch a structure is applied, the connection of the ROM to the digitalcamera main body can be surely broken.

[0015] The bare chip of the ROM and the wiring to the externalconnecting terminal in the digital camera of the present invention aremounted on the mounting film which is thinner than the external packingfilm, and the mounting film is adhered onto the external packing film.When such a structure is applied, while the strength of the externalpacking film is made appropriate for the external packing, theconnection of the ROM to the digital camera main body can be surelybroken.

[0016] Further, the second identifying information in the digital cameraof the present invention is read from the ROM after the digital camerais produced, and stored in the identifying information memory section.When such a structure is applied, the control of the first and thesecond identifying information having a predetermined relationshipbecomes easy.

[0017] Further, in the digital camera of the present invention, as thesecond identifying information to be stored, the first identifyinginformation is used. When such a structure is applied, the identifyinginformation stored in the ROM can be arbitrary one, and the collationprocessing becomes simple.

[0018] Further, the reading of the second identifying information fromthe ROM in the digital camera of the present invention and the storinginto the identifying information memory section are conducted by using apredetermined program, and the program is erased after the storing intothe identifying information memory section. When such a structure isapplied, the reproduction by using a new ROM chip becomes difficult, andthe increase of the withdrawal efficiency can be expected.

[0019] Further, as the ROM in the digital camera of the presentinvention, an electrically erasable ROM is used, and the reading programof the second identifying information from the ROM, and the storingprogram into the identifying information memory section are previouslystored in the ROM. When such a structure is applied, the program storingmemory of the digital camera itself can be structured by a low cost ROM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIGS. 1A to 1C are outline appearance views of a digital camera ofthe first embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 2 is an outline block structural view of the digital cameraof the first embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a view showing an outline operation flow at the time ofan identifying information registration.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a view sowing an outline operation flow at the time of ause of the digital camera.

[0024]FIGS. 5A and 5B are views enlargedly showing the vicinity of a ROMchip of the digital camera.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of a ROM chip mounting ofthe digital camera.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a view showing a bottom surface of the digital camera ofthe second embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 8 is an outline block structural view of the digital cameraof the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present inventionwill be described below.

[0029] (The First Embodiment)

[0030]FIGS. 1A to 1C are appearance general views of a digital camera ofthe first embodiment, and FIG. 1A shows its front view, FIG. 1B showsits rear surface, and FIG. 1C shows its bottom surface. A digital camera100 is structured by comprising a casing 116, power switch 117, opticalview finder 118, photographing lens 101, shutter button 119, auxiliarylight light-emitting section 120, memory card insertion section 121,display 114, operation switch 115, menu switch 122, execution/imageplane change over switch 123, external packing film 124, ROM chip 130,print wiring 131, and external connecting terminal 132.

[0031] The external packing film 124 is packed to protect the memorycard insertion section 121, and display 114, and to structurallyreinforce the main body. The external packing film 124 at least coversthe memory card insertion section 121, and when the memory card 112 istaken out after the photographing, it is stripped off. On the one hand,in the re-production process, the camera is packed by a new externalpacking film 124.

[0032] On the camera side surface of the external packing film 124, aROM chip 130 and print wiring 131 are mounted. One end of the printwiring 131 is connected to the ROM chip 130, and the other end isconnected to the external connecting terminal 132 provided on the bottomsurface of the digital camera 100. Accordingly, the data of the ROM chip130 can be taken into the digital camera 100. Further, as will bedescribed later, the print wiring 131 is arranged in such a manner that,when the external packing film 124 is stripped off to take out thememory card 112, it is broken.

[0033] Herein, each element, except for a slide switch necessarily beingexposed outside (power switch 117), can be covered by the externalpacking film 124. For example, the auxiliary light light-emittingsection 120, optical view finder 118 and photographic lens 101 arecovered by a transparent portion, having no print, of a film whosetransparency is high. When only the switch location is known, even whena push-switch such as the menu switch 122, and execution/image planechange over switch 123 is covered, the operation is not influenced.Because of that, the indication may be made so that its location isunderstood, or the switch may be covered by a portion made as atransparent window. However, when the switch is protruded, it isnecessary that the film is expanded so that the tension does not affectthe film. The surface of the display 114 is covered by the transparentmaterial such as the glass or acrylic resin, but even by this, becausethere is a problem that it is flawed, it is preferable that this portionis also covered by the film having the high transparency.

[0034]FIG. 2 is an outline block structural view of the digital camera100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C. The digital camera 100 is structured bycomprising a photographic lens 101, shutter/aperture diaphragm 102,image pick-up device 103, auxiliary light light-emitting section 120,and image pick-up section including a drive circuit 110, analog signalprocessing section 104, A/D conversion section 105, digital signalprocessing section 106, output memory 107, and signal processing sectionincluding compression expansion processing section 108, media interface111 and output section including a display 114, operation switch 115,power switch 117, shutter button 119, menu switch 122, operation sectionincluding an execution/image plane change over switch 123, and CPU 109by which the whole of the digital camera is controlled. On the mediainterface 111, the memory card 112 which is a removable recording mediumin which the picked up image information is recorded, can be mounted.

[0035] Because the structure of the image pick-up section and the signalprocessing section is the same as the conventional digital camera, itwill be briefly described. The light passing the lens 101 andshutter/aperture diaphragm 102 is focused on the image pick-up device103 such as the CCD, and the picked up image signal is obtained. Herein,the shutter prevents a smear generation when a signal is read from theimage pick-up device 103. The image pick-up device 103 is driven by thedrive circuit 110 at a predetermined timing with an operation of theshutter button 119 as a trigger, and outputs the image signal. The drivecircuit 110 can also be omitted depending on the drive voltage conditionof the image pick-up device 103.

[0036] The image signal is A/D converted after the analog signalprocessing, and temporarily stored in the output memory 107 through adigital signal processing. Herein, when it is displayed on the display114, the content of the output memory 107 is read out, and is sent tothe display 114. The picked up image of the output memory 107 iscompression processed in the compression expansion processing section108, and recorded in the memory card 112 through the media interface111. The compression processing can also be omitted depending on thephotographic mode.

[0037] When the image recorded in the memory card 112 is displayed onthe display 114, the image information read from the memory card 112 iscompression processed in the compression expansion section 108, andwritten into the output memory 107, and sent to the display 114.

[0038] These operations are conducted under the control of the CPU 109which is operated by a predetermined program, corresponding to thecondition of each kind of switch including the power switch 117,operation switch 115, menu switch 122, execution/image plane change overswitch 123, and shutter switch (not shown) operated by the shutterbutton 119. In this connection, the memory in which the program isstored, work memory, and identifying information memory section in whichthe second identifying information which will be described later, isstored, are not shown in the drawing.

[0039] As the ROM chip 130, for example, a serial ROM is used, and inwhich the first identifying information and the second identifyinginformation for controlling the operation of the digital camera arepreviously stored. The first identifying information and the secondidentifying information have a predetermined relationship, and it may bethe same information. When it is the same information, only the firstidentifying information is stored, and the first identifying informationis read out as the second identifying information.

[0040] Next, the use of the first and the second identifying informationstored in the ROM chip will be described. At the time of the productionor re-production of the digital camera 100, which will be describedlater, the identifying information registration processing in which thesecond identifying information stored in the ROM chip 130 is stored intothe identifying information memory section (not shown), is conductedafter the assembly and before the delivery. The registration processingis conducted when a predetermined program is executed by the CPU 109upon a special operation of the switches (for example, the simultaneousoperation of switches 122, 123, and the shutter button 119).

[0041] In FIG. 3, an outline operation flow at the time of theidentifying information registration is shown. When the registration ofthe identifying information is commanded, it is checked whether the ROM130 is connected to the external connecting terminal 132 (step 301).When it is not connected, it is judged as the poor production, and theerror output is conducted (step 302). In the error output, for example,an error indication is displayed on the display 114.

[0042] When the ROM 130 is connected, the second identifying informationis read from the ROM 130 (step 303), and the read identifyinginformation is stored in the identifying information memory section (notshown) (step 304). Then, a program, which conducts the registrationprocessing, is erased (step 306), and the power is turned off (step306), and the registration processing is completed.

[0043] In this connection, the reason for erasing the program is tolimit that the person except for the specified person such as amanufacturer conducts the registration processing. The registrationprogram may be stored in the digital camera 100 inside, however, it isstored in the ROM 130, when the registration information is commanded,the registration program may also be read and executed. Further, whenthe registration program is stored in the ROM 130, and it is erasedafter the registration processing, the electrically erasable ROM is usedas the ROM 130.

[0044] Successively, the operation at the time of the use of the digitalcamera 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a view showing an outline flowof the time of the use of the camera. When the power switch is turned on(step 401) at the time of start of the use, it is checked whether theROM 130 is connected to the external connecting terminal 132 in step 402(step 402). When it is not connected, it is judged is that the use ofthe digital camera is completed, and the power source is compulsivelyturned off (step 403), and it is made unusable.

[0045] When the ROM 130 is connected, the first identifying informationis read from the ROM 130, and the second identifying information isrespectively read from the identifying information memory section (notshown) (step 404), and these are collated with each other (step 405).When the collation result is not coincident with each other, it isjudged that the use of the digital camera 100 is completed, and thepower source is compulsively turned off (step 403), and it is madeunusable. When the collation is coincident with each other, theoperation of the camera is successively possible, and the desiredoperation can be conducted in step 407. In this connection, herein, “thecollation is coincident” not only means that identifying information ofthe two are the same, but includes also a case where it has apredetermined relationship. Then, when the operation of the camera iscompleted, the power source switch 408 is turned off (step 408).

[0046] Next, the mounting of the ROM chip 130 and print wiring 131 ontothe external packing film 124 will be described. FIGS. 5A and 5B areviews in which the vicinity of the ROM chip 130 of the digital camera100 in FIG. 1 is enlarged, and FIG. 5A shows its bottom surface, andFIG. 5B typically shows its A-A cross section.

[0047] On the camera side surface of the external film 124, the ROM chip130 and the print wiring 131 are surface-mounted at the positioncovering the memory card insertion section 121. One end of the printwiring 131 is connected to the ROM chip 130, and the other end isconnected to the external connecting terminal 132 provided on the casing116 of the digital camera 100. In order to absorb the thickness of theROM chip 130, it is preferable that a concave portion 135 is provided inthe casing 116 of the digital camera 100. In the vicinity of themounting positions of the ROM chip 130 and print wiring 131 on theexternal packing film 124, an adhered portion 133 adhered to the casing116 of the digital camera 100 is provided. The adhered portion 133 isprovided in the vicinity of the connection point to the externalconnecting terminal 132, for example, at the periphery of the externalconnecting terminal as shown in the drawing. Further, it is morepreferable when it is provided also in the vicinity of the ROM chip 130,crossing the memory card insertion section 121.

[0048] As described above, when the ROM chip 130 is provided in thememory card insertion section 121, when the memory card 112 in which thepicked up image information is stored is taken out after thephotographing, the external packing film 124 is broken and even when thememory card 112 is mounted again and the digital camera 100 is tried tobe operated, the operation can not be conducted.

[0049] Accordingly, because there is no merit that the memory card istaken out and used by the user itself, the carrying-in to the imageprocessing service place such as a lab by the user of the digital camera100 is promoted, and the withdrawal rate is increased. In that case,when a portion (for example, writing of the image information into theCD-ROM) of the processing by the carrying-in to the image processingservice place such as a lab is made a service of charge of free, thewithdrawal rate can be more increased. Further, it is also possiblethat, when the picked up image information to be stored in the memorycard 112 is enciphered, the picked up image information can not be usedwithout carrying-in to the image processing service place such as a lab.

[0050] In this connection, the adhering method is out of question whenthe adhering portion 133 is adhered onto the casing 116 of the digitalcamera 100 with the adhesive strength of the degree in which theexternal packing film 124 is broken when the external packing film isgoing to be stripped off. Further, when a perforation 134 is formed atthe position covering the print wiring 131 of the external film 124,because it is easily broken, it is more preferable.

[0051]FIG. 6 is a view showing another mounting example of the ROM chip130 and the print wiring 131, and is a view typically showing the crosssection corresponding to FIG. 5B. The example of FIG. 6 is an example inwhich, instead is of a case where the ROM chip 130 and the print wiring131 are mounted on the external packing film surface 124, these aremounted on the mounting film 136. The mounting film 136 has thelargeness and strength of the degree in which the ROM chip 130 and theprint wiring 131 are surface-mounted, and the thinner material than theexternal packing film 124 is used. Then, the periphery of the mountingfilm 136 is adhered to the external packing film 124 by the adhesiveagent 137.

[0052] The mounting of the ROM chip 130 and the print 25 wiring 131 ontothe mounting film 137 may be allowable at any time before or after themounting film 137 is adhered to the external packing film 124. In thevicinity of the mounting position of the ROM 130 and the print wiring131, a point in which the adhering portion 133 to be adhered to thecasing 116 of the digital camera 100 is provided, is the same as in theexample in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Further, a perforation is also provided atneed. When such a mounting is conducted, the external packing filmhaving an arbitrary strength can be selected without considering theeasiness of the breakage when the film is stripped off, and it can bemade the external packing film which is appropriate for an originalfunction of the external packing film 124. (The second embodiment) Thedigital camera 100 in FIG. 1 is a camera in which the picked up imageinformation is stored in the removable recording medium such as a memorycard, however, is the digital camera 200 of the second embodiment is acamera in which the picked up image information is stored in theinternal memory 113. FIG. 7 shows a bottom surface of the digital camera200 of the second embodiment, and which is a view corresponding to FIG.5A. Further, FIG. 8 is an outline block structural view of the digitalcamera 200.

[0053] The digital camera 200 has basically the same structure andfunction as the digital camera 100 except a point that the picked upimage information is recorded in the internal memory 113 provided in thedigital camera 200 inside in place of that it is recorded in the memorycard 112 through the media interface 111, and a point that the picked upimage information stored in the internal memory 113 is taken out to theoutside through the input output interface 125.

[0054] The input output interface 125 includes a connector portion 126formed on the bottom surface of the digital camera 200. On the positionwhich covers the connector portion 126 of the external packing film 124,in the same manner as the digital camera 100, the ROM chip 130 and theprint wiring 131 are mounted. One end of the print wiring 131 isconnected to the ROM chip 130, and the other end is connected to theexternal connecting terminal 132 provided on the bottom surface of thedigital camera 200.

[0055] Accordingly, when the external packing film 124 is stripped offin order to take out the picked up image information through theconnector portion 126, the external packing film 124 and the printwiring 131 is broken, and when the memory card 112 is mounted again andthe digital camera 200 is going to be operated, the operation of thedigital camera is unable. The perforation 134 and the concave portion135 of the ROM chip are provided at need. In this connection, the ROMchip 130 and the print wiring 131 can also be structured as a structurein which these are mounted on the mounting film in the same manner as inthe example of FIG. 6.

[0056] As can clearly be seen from the above description, according tothe present invention, a digital camera structured in such a manner thatthe digital camera can not be used after the taking out of thephotographed digital image information so that the digital camera aftera predetermined exposures of photographing can be surely withdrawn, canbe provided. Then, consequently, the quality assurance of thephotographed image can be attained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera comprising a removable recordingmedium for recording a picked up image information, further comprising:a ROM connected to an external connecting terminal of the digital cameraand storing first identifying information; an identifying informationmemory section which is provided inside of the digital camera andstoring second identifying information; a collating section forcollating the first identifying information with the second identifyinginformation; and an operation limiting section compulsorily stoppingoperation of the digital camera in a case a collating result by thecollating section is not coincident with each other, and wherein the ROMis arranged in a condition that the connection to the externalconnecting terminal is broken in a case the removable recording mediumis taken out.
 2. A digital camera according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an external packing film which covers at least a mountingportion of the removable recording medium; and a bare chip of the ROMand a wiring to the external connecting terminal are surface-mounted onthe camera side surface of the external pacing film so that the mountingportion of the removable recording medium is covered; and wherein theexternal packing film has an adhered portion adhered to the digitalcamera surface in the vicinity of the mounting position of the bare chipand the wiring.
 3. A digital camera according to claim 2, wherein theexternal packing film is structured in such a manner that at least oneportion is more easily broken than other portion in the vicinity of theadhering section and in the vicinity of the mounting position of thewiring.
 4. A digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising: amounting film which is thinner than the external packing film and bywhich the chip and wiring can be mounted, and wherein the mounting filmis adhered to the external packing film; wherein the bare chip of theROM and the wiring to the external connecting terminal are mounted onthe mounting film in place of the external packing film; and wherein thecamera adhering section is provided on the mounting film in place of theexternal packing film.
 5. A digital camera according to claims 1,wherein the second identifying information is read from the ROM, and isstored in the identifying information memory section after the digitalcamera is produced.
 6. A digital camera according to claim 5, wherein,as the second identifying information to be stored, the firstidentifying information is utilized.
 7. A digital camera according toclaim 5, wherein the reading of the second identifying information fromthe ROM and storing into the identifying information memory section areconducted by using a predetermined program, and wherein the program iserased after the storing into the identifying information memorysection.
 8. A digital camera according to claim 7, wherein the ROM is anelectrically erasable ROM, and wherein the program is previously storedin the ROM.
 9. A digital camera comprising an internal memory forrecording picked up image information, further comprising: an input andoutput interface section which can transmit the recorded picked up imageinformation to the outside; a ROM storing first identifying information,and connected to an external connecting terminal of the digital camera;an identifying information memory section provided in the digital cameraand storing second identifying information; a collating section tocollate the first identifying information with the second identifyinginformation; and an operation limiting section by which an operation ofthe digital camera is compulsively stopped in a case a collation resultby the collating section does not coincide with each other, and whereinthe ROM is arranged in a condition that the connection to the externalconnecting terminal is broken in a case the recorded picked up imageinformation is transmitted.
 10. A digital camera according to claim 9,further comprises: an external packing film which covers at least theinput and output interface section, and a bare chip of the ROM and awiring to the external connecting terminal are surface-mounted on thecamera side surface of the external pacing film so that the mountingportion of the removable recording medium is covered; and wherein theexternal packing film has an adhered portion adhered to the digitalcamera surface in the vicinity of the mounting position of the bare chipand the wiring.
 11. A digital camera according to claim 10, wherein theexternal packing film is structured in such a manner that at least oneportion is more easily broken than other portion in the vicinity of theadhering section and in the vicinity of the mounting position of thewiring.
 12. A digital camera according to claim 10, further comprising:a mounting film which is thinner than the external packing film and bywhich the chip and wiring can be mounted, and wherein the mounting filmis adhered to the external packing film; wherein the bare chip of theROM and the wiring to the external connecting terminal are mounted onthe mounting film in place of the external packing film; and wherein thecamera adhering section is provided on the mounting film in place of theexternal packing film.
 13. A digital camera according to claims 9,wherein the second identifying information is read from the ROM, and isstored in the identifying information memory section after the digitalcamera is produced.
 14. A digital camera according to claim 13, wherein,as the second identifying information to be stored, the firstidentifying information is utilized.
 15. A digital camera according toclaim 13, wherein the reading of the second identifying information fromthe ROM and storing into the identifying information memory section areconducted by using a predetermined program, and wherein the program iserased after the storing into the identifying information memorysection.
 16. A digital camera according to claim 15, wherein the ROM isan electrically erasable ROM, and wherein the program is previouslystored in the ROM.